Traveling back to 1966, starting by living in a cowshed.

Chapter 138 Launch Press Conference

The date for the opening ceremony and the worship of the gods was set in a hurry, but it was still grand enough.

The location was chosen in front of the RTV studio, with a red carpet laid from the entrance all the way to the incense table.

On the table were whole pigs and sheep, fresh fruits and pastries, and three sticks of incense were stuck in the incense burner, with wisps of smoke rising straight up and mingling with the morning mist.

Reporters from various Hong Kong media outlets were already waiting at the scene, their cameras pointed at the open space next to the incense table.

The flashbulbs of cameras blared in the morning light, and the reporters whispered amongst themselves.

"I heard that this 'A Step into the Past' is Lin Zhou's debut work. He personally took charge of adapting it into a TV series. That's quite a feat."

"That's right, a budget of five million is considered top-tier in the Hong Kong TV drama industry, but the main cast... doesn't seem to be very famous?"

"What do you know? Lin Zhou personally selected the actors: Tony Leung, Carina Lau, and Maggie Cheung. I heard that all three of them are newcomers from RTV."

Being chosen by Lin Zhou means his future in the entertainment industry is likely to be bright.

Amidst the murmurs, Lin Zhou, dressed in a formal suit, slowly walked out, followed by the main creative team of the production crew, as well as managers and supervisors from various departments of the television station.

He was dressed in a black suit today, standing tall and with a gentle smile on his face. He raised his hand to greet the reporters.

This immediately triggered an even more rapid clicking of camera shutters.

The worship ceremony proceeded as planned, with Lin Zhou standing in the audience.

Watching Wang Wei lead the director, screenwriter Wang, and the three lead actors to offer incense and put their hands together in prayer.

His gaze swept over the three men, including Tony Leung.

Tony Leung was dressed in a well-fitting suit, his eyes showing a youthful naiveté, yet his unique melancholic temperament was undeniable.

This perfectly matches Xiang Shaolong's inherent composure and confusion.

Maggie Cheung wore a t-shirt and shorts, her long hair was tied up, and her bright features exuded a capable air.

She is exactly like Wu Tingfang from the novel, a character who dares to love and hate.

Carina Lau, dressed in a white dress, smiled gently with clear eyes, much like the gentle and graceful Qin Qing.

The three of them stood together, and although they were not yet famous, they had a wonderful sense of harmony, which made Lin Zhou even more certain that his choice was right.

After the worship ceremony, it was time for the official photos to be unveiled.

A simple set had already been set up in the photography studio, with a screen depicting ink wash landscapes as the background.

The lighting technician adjusted the lights, and the makeup artist made the final touches on the faces of the three main actors.

Xiang Shaolong's ancient costume look is a black close-fitting outfit with a long sword at his waist.

After changing into his costume, Tony Leung stood there, instantly shedding his youthful naiveté, his brows revealing a touch of chivalry and world-weariness.

Maggie Cheung's Wu Tingfang wore a fiery red ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with exquisite cloud patterns embroidered on the hem. Her hair was styled in a high bun and adorned with pearl hairpins. Every smile and frown exuded the charm and heroism of a daughter of a military family.

Carina Lau's character, Qin Qing, wore an elegant light blue dress, her long hair loosely tied up with only a wooden hairpin.

With her gentle temperament and scholarly air, she is captivating at first sight.

When the three people, dressed in ancient costumes, walked out of the studio and stood in front of the reporters, the scene was silent for a few seconds before erupting into even more heated discussions.

"My goodness, this look is so faithful to the original character! Tony Leung's appearance is exactly how I imagined Xiang Shaolong!"

"Maggie Cheung is so dazzling! That red dress perfectly brings Wu Tingfang to life!"

"Carina Lau's temperament is absolutely stunning—gentle yet dignified, she truly embodies the spirit of Qin Qing!"

Faced with reporters' persistent questions, the three lead actors appeared slightly nervous, but handled the situation with composure.

Tony Leung looked at the microphone that was almost poking his face, leaned back, and said in a low voice:

"I am very grateful for Mr. Lin's trust in me to play the role of Xiang Shaolong. I am honored and will do my best to portray his story well."

Maggie Cheung laughed heartily: "Wu Tingfang is a very charming character, someone who dares to love and hate. I really like her, and I hope everyone will like my portrayal."

Carina Lau said softly, "Qin Qing's gentleness and wisdom are very attractive to me, and I will try my best to show her beauty to everyone."

Lin Zhou stood to the side, looking at the scene before him, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.

The reporters' questions gradually shifted from the actors to him, with some asking why he chose three newcomers to star in the series.

Lin Zhou took the microphone from the reporter of Zhonghua Daily and said calmly:

"When casting actors, fame is never the most important factor; the key is whether they fit the role."

Tony Leung, Carina Lau, and Maggie Cheung possess qualities similar to the characters I created, and I believe they can portray them well.

In one sentence, he silenced all the dissenting voices... Yes, he is the original author of "A Step into the Past," and he is the most qualified to decide who will play the characters he created.

The press conference ended in a lively atmosphere, with the media reporters and crew members leaving.

Lin Zhou returned to the headquarters office of Zhonghua Group and rubbed his temples.

He walked to the window, looking at the industrial park and its interconnected factory buildings outside, his eyes deep in thought.

The five million yuan budget for "A Step into the Past" and the three new lead actors were just the beginning; there was an even more important plan—to film on location in mainland China.

The story of "A Step into the Past" is set in the Warring States period. No matter how exquisite the film studios in Hong Kong are, they can't capture that vast sense of history.

Only those ancient sites in mainland China that have withstood thousands of years of wind and rain can truly uphold the spirit of this drama.

He recalled the high-ranking leader he had met in Beijing not long ago, whose words still echoed clearly in his ears.

Lin Zhou took a deep breath and dialed the phone number he knew by heart.

The call connected, and a steady voice came from the other end. Lin Zhou stood up and said solemnly, "Hello, leader, this is Lin Zhou."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lin Zhou got straight to the point:

"I'm calling you today because I need your help with something."

My company, RTV, is currently filming the TV series "A Step into the Past".

This novel has a considerable readership in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, and has a significant influence.

Now, Zhonghua Group is preparing to cultivate a deep presence in Hong Kong's newspapers, television stations, films, and music sectors. This drama is key to our success in the television industry.

He paused, then continued:

"Hong Kong has limited filming locations, making it difficult to capture the grandeur of the Warring States period. So I was thinking, could the crew film on location in mainland China?"

For example, the ancient city ruins of Xianyang and the Zhao King City in Handan have rich historical backgrounds that can elevate the quality of "A Step into the Past".

Moreover, once this drama airs, it will allow more Hong Kong viewers to learn about the historical sites on the mainland, enhancing cultural exchange between the two places.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, as if they were considering their options.

Lin Zhou's heart skipped a beat. He knew that this was no small matter, as it involved cultural exchanges between the two places and required careful consideration.

About half a minute later, a positive reply came from the other end.

"Comrade Lin Zhou, your idea is very good. Cultural exchange is an important bridge to promote friendship between the two places."

I've also heard of "A Step into the Past," and it's a good work.

You can choose any filming location in mainland China; the relevant departments will cooperate with your filming work.

Lin Zhou's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was finally at ease, and a joyful smile appeared on his face.

"Thank you so much, boss! We will definitely abide by the relevant regulations in mainland China, film diligently, and live up to your trust."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zhou couldn't help but clench his fist, his eyes gleaming.

He seemed to already see how many viewers' hearts would be shaken by the vast Warring States period, the majestic ancient city walls, and the surging Yellow River after the broadcast of "A Step into the Past".